CYCLADES-FOLEGANDROS

Folegandros is a sunlit welcome. The people who have been returning here year after year, who have established bonds with the island and its inhabitants, come together between a warm welcome and the sweet "au revoir" of goodbye. Folegandros is the island of good measure. The mild tourism development of the last two decades has allowed the island to preserve the full extent of its character & pysiognomy. At the same time, however, modern infrastructure and organized tourism services have been developed. The inhabitants of Folegandros continue to care for their land and enjoy life in their own way, which they now share with more and more of the island's friends. Upon arrival at Karavostassis port, Folegandros will start to unfold its beauties one by one. You can wonder around the narrow paved streets of Hora and the Kastro, climb the Panagia rock with its panoramic view of the Aegean, swim in the deserted or popular beaches, or explore nature along the footpaths that criss-cross every corner of the island. Homemade traditional food can be savoured in Hora, Karavostassis, Aggali or Ano Meria, while long nights drinking rakomelo await you in the squares of Hora. Folegandros belongs to the south-western Cyclades.

TRADITIONAL FOLKS IN FOLEGANDROS

Every July, the Folegandros Feasts (Giortes Folegandrou), the island's summer festival, enliven the Kastro streets, the Karavostassis port and Ano Meria with theatrical performances, films, classical and Greek music concerts. Thematic exhibitions that last throughout the summer are hosted in the neoclassical building of the Hora Primary School. On Easter Sunday, Folegandros is blooming and all the houses are open: they are waiting for the blessing of the icon of the Virgin Mary. Easter is celebrated here in a completely unique way, not found anywhere else in Greece: In an atmosphere of joy, with songs, good wishes,festivities and fireworks, every house on the island welcomes the procession with the icon of the Panagia, and wine, raki, sweets and delicacies are offered to all the people accompanying the procession. On Easter Sunday, the icon passes through Hora and the streets of Kastro, where theisland's youngsters welcome the icon with bursts of fireworks. On Monday the icon travels to Ano Meria and all the solitary farmhouses, and on Tuesdayit heads for Petoussis and Livadi, ending up in Karavostassis; in the port, all the caiques, boats and yachts moored there are blessed along with all the homes.In the evening, the icon returns to the Panagia monastery, where it remains until the following Easter.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES AND PLACES TO VISIT IN FOLEGANDROS

FOOTPATHS OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INTEREST

Despite the island's small size, the well-preserved network of old paved streets and footpaths is an attraction for hikers, allowing them to experience the riches of Folegandros’s historical character. The network of selected footpaths, with a total length of 20 kilometres, crosses a large part of the Folegandros countryside and constitutes the Footpaths of Historical and Cultural Interest, which lead to destinations with a particular historical-cultural or environmental importance. The selected Footpaths are as follows: Hora – Stavros – Christos – Fira – Aggali.The walk starts at the Kastro in Hora, through the narrow streets, and joins the road for a while, passing below Pantanassa and the Agios Savvas chapel. Reaching the historic church of Stavros, the walk returns to the footpath, heading south-west. The section up to Christos is mostly paved. After Christos, and with an open view to the sea, the footpath becomes narrower and rougher, descending towards the picturesque bay of Fira. From there, the footpath leads to the picturesque but busy bay of Aggali, along a coastal route in a rocky and steep landscape. The route can also be followed backwards: Aggali – Fira – Christos – Stavros – Hora . Walking time: 45΄.

Ano Meria – Agios Ioannis Eleimonas – Marmaro – Agios Nikolaos – Aggali.The footpath starts at Agios Ioannis Eleimonas, at the eastern edge of the Ano Meria settlement. From the road, the route follows a paved footpath leading to the Folk Art Museum and from there to the Agios Ioannis Theologos countryside chapel. The footpath descends and crosses the abandoned village of Marmaro, where typical Ano Meria architecture has been preserved intact. As it approaches the coast, the route passes above the picturesque bay of Ai Nikolas – always enchanting – and then descends towards the small beach at Galyfos. Moving along the coast, the footpath finally leads to the small church of Agia Marina, outside Aggali. The route can also be followed backwards: Aggali – Agios Nikolaos – Marmaro – Agios Ioannis Eleimonas – Ano Meria. Walking time: 1 hour. Ano Meria – Agios Andreas – Agios Georgios – Lygaria – Zoodochos Pigi.The route starts at the church of Agios Andreas, on the western side of the scattered settlement of Ano Meria. The footpath is mostly paved. Walkers encounter the countryside chapel of Agios Sostis, crossing an area dominated by the typical Ano Meria agricultural landscape, with a panoramic view.This is succeeded by an area with denser vegetation and trees offering cool shadows, and ends up in Agios Georgios bay (also accessible by road directlyfrom Ano Meria). The Ano Meria – Agios Georgios footpath is still used by the area’s farmers and shepherds. Between Agios Georgios bay and Kastello cape,the footpath turns into an agricultural road. Remains of a settlement from the Proto-Cycladic period can be seen in Kastello. From there, the route turns south-west and meets the picturesque small beach of Lygaria. In its last section, the footpath climbs towards the Karkana rise, along a narrow dirt road leading to the church of Zoodochos Pigi (Chrisopigi). With broad views towards the open sea and cape Kyparissi, this hiking route can be completed by returning to Ano Meria village through Merovigli. Walking time Ano Meria – Zoodochos Pigi: 1 hour 15’. Ano Meria (Taxiarhis) – Agios Panteleimonas – Ampeli.From Taxiathis in Ano Meria, the route initially heads west, along the provincial road. After a crossroads with a footpath leading south-west to Livadaki,it heads west towards Agios Panteleimonas along a paved footpath, leading to a location of rare beauty. After Agios Panteleimonas, the footpath is dividedinto two branches, leading to Ampeli bay. The southern branch, which is initially smooth, later descends steeply towards the picturesque beach. By contrast, the northern branch is steep to start with, but then crosses a pretty gorge, with unusual vegetation by the island’s standards and with traditional cultivation methods. (skales). Walking time: 30΄.

Ano Meria (Taxiarhis) – Livadaki – Aspropounta Lighthouse – Ano Meria (Myloi).This is the longest route, starting from Taxiarhis and moving in a circle to end up in Myloi, Ano Meria. Initially, the route is the same as the previous one,until the crossroads to Livadaki, which this route follows. The footpath is intact and well marked, and paved in parts. The view from the hill with the countrysidechapel of Agii Anargyri is excellent. The footpath then heads downwards, crossing the Skiathitis area and directed towards Livadaki, a sheltered bay with a small pebbly beach. Subsequently, hikers start to climb, reaching a small fork in the path that leads to the particularly picturesque Aspropounta Lighthouse (Faros). Thje main route continues along a footpath at the foot of Trahilos hill, and becomes a dirt road headed in a northerly direction. The last section of the route crosses the Petalakia area and passes above Tzanis gorge, terminating at Stavros church, right by the Myloi (windmills) in Ano Meria. This route - typically circular - can also be followed backwards: Ano Meria (Myloi) – Aspropounta Lighthouse – Livadaki – Ano Meria (Taxiarhis). Walking time: 2 hrs 10’.

MOREChora The traditional settlement of Chora is built...Kastro Kastro is the oldest part of the Hora... Panagia Under Construction...Karavostassis The port of Folegandros. Chrysospilia is a unique natural monument.Ano Meria The second largest settlement in Folegandros.

BEACHES IN FOLEGANDROS

Folegandros can satisfy varied tastes, offering secluded sandy beaches as well as popular seaside taverns serving fresh fish right by the water. Shade from tamarisk trees, transparent waters, and typical Folegandros stone can all be encountered on the island’s beaches, thus giving the coast its typical features. The more secluded beaches are accessible on foot. The beaches are easy to reach by tourist boat, car or coach. The most secluded beaches can be accessed on foot. Folegandros is an ideal place for hiking: the footpaths between the dry stone walls pass by old mills, abandoned themonies, solitary chapels, and cross the whole island. Karavostassis (Hohlidia) Position: The beach at Karavostassis port is located in front of the settlement's houses. A family beach with shade from tamarisk trees throughout its length. There are bars, taverns and hotels near the sea. Nearby beaches: Vardia, by the port, with easy access (stone steps).

Latinaki – Vitsentzou – Pountaki. Small beach you will find if you follow the coastal road from the port towards Livadi. Katergo Access: By boat from Karavostassis, or on foot from the footpath that starts in Livadi (around 30'). The footpath is quite rough, so care is required. Livadi Access: From Karavostassis. Aggali Access: There is road access by coach or by car, but also by boat from Karavostassis. A family beach. There are taverns and rooms to let. Nearby beaches: The small beaches of Fira (footpath, 10') and Galifos, on the footpath towards Agios Nikolaos (10') are very close to Aggali beach. There are a few rooms to let in Galifos, without electricity. Agios Nikolaos .Access: By boat from Aggali and Karavostassis. Along the footpaths starting in Aggali (20’) or in Ano Meria (45’). Livadaki. Access: By boar from Karavostassis and Aggali. Also on foot from Ano Meria (45’). Ampeli Access: By car or on foot from Ano Meria, as well as by boat. Agios Georgios . Access: By car (dirt road, 10' from Ano Meria) or on foot along the footpaths (45' hike from Ano Meria). Serfiotiko Access: On foot from Ano Meria (40’). The beach is exposed to northern winds. Vorina . Access: On foot along the footpath (20’) that starts in Myloi. The beach